Have you ever wondered, “What do Biblical angels look like?” Spoiler alert: they aren’t babies with wings like the two cherubs in The Sistine Madonna. When most of us picture angels, we think of glowing humans with halos, white robes, with two very large wings. But it might surprise you what angels really look like in the Bible. They are far more mysterious and intimidating than what we see in paintings or movies. In this post, we’ll discover how angels look in the Bible, discover the different types of angels from the Bible, and find out why God created angels.
What Do Biblical Angels Really Look Like?
In our age of artificial intelligence, we can now create 3D images and videos of what angels might look like. How cool! For a little inspiration, take a quick look at the video below to see what angels really look like based on scriptures from the Bible:
What Are the Different Types of Angels in the Bible?
The Bible mentions many different kinds of angels that each serve a different purpose. Angels were intentionally created by God with unique roles and awesome appearances. So, if you’re wondering what actual angels look like, use your imagination based on these Biblical angel descriptions:
1. Seraphim – This type of angel is first mentioned in Isaiah 6:2. The Seraphim are described as having six wings: two covering their faces, two covering their feet, and two used for flying. Can you imagine that? They worship constantly before God’s throne, crying out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty.”
2. Cherubim – This next type of angel guards the presence of God and appears in several places in Scripture, including Genesis 3:24 and Ezekiel 10. Cherubim aren’t babies with little wings — they’re powerful, big, and multi-faced beings, boasting four faces for each direction. One face is like a human, another like a lion, one is an ox, and the last is an eagle, and all of those are accompanied by multiple wings.
3. Archangels – The next type of angel in the Bible is actually a term used to categorize rank among the angelic. We read things in the Bible where God refers to the archangel, which means the chief angel. Michael is the only angel specifically called an archangel (Jude 1:9), and Gabriel appears as a messenger of God (Luke 1:26–38). These angels often appear in human form and carry important messages or lead spiritual battles.
4. Living Creatures – In Revelation 4:6-8, the Apostle John describes four living creatures gathered around God’s throne in continual worship and prayer, full of eyes and wings, continually praising Him. The living creatures are wonderful beings that show the majesty and mystery of God’s creation in ways that defy our imagination.
5. Ophanim: Ophanim is a big word to point out angels that are described as having a wheel within a wheel and are generally associated with the throne of God. To read a full description of them, read all of Ezekiel 1.
All of these descriptions of Biblically accurate angels show us how creative, powerful, and awesome God is! Let’s dive deeper into some Bible verses about angels and how they serve Christians.
Bible Verses About Angels
Did you know the Bible mentions angels over 270 times? There are plenty of Bible verses about what angels really look like; however, here are some of our favorite scriptures about angels in the Bible.
Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation? - Hebrews 1:14
This Bible verse about angels tells us one key reason why angels exist: they’re actually here for us, Christians! When someone chooses to accept Jesus, they have inherited salvation, and now, they’re a Christian! So, if you’re a Christian, angels are ministering spirits sent to serve you on your spiritual walk with Jesus.
Have you given your life to Jesus? If not, today is your day! Learn how to receive Jesus in our blog: This is For You!
For He will command His angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways - Psalm 91:11
Did you read that? This Bible verse about angels says that God commands angels to guard you! How incredible to know that God protects us in ways we don’t even realize, every day.
Hear a real-life testimony of the protection of God: From Addict to Evangelist: How a Near-Death Experience Changed Everything
And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with great fear. And the angel said to them, “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. - Luke 2:9-10
This Bible verse about angels is from Luke 2, right after Jesus was born. God uses the angel to speak to the shepherds about Jesus, the Messiah. Often when angels appear in the Bible, they tell those who see them, “Do not be afraid!” Because Biblically accurate angels are so striking and intense, with lots of eyes, lots of wings, and even wheels within wheels, God tells angels to warn people not to be afraid when they appear.
The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them. - Psalm 34:7
How awesome to know that angels surround those who fear God! This Bible verse about angels reminds us that angels are sent to serve those who will inherit salvation (Hebrews 1:14).
Related Post: Bible Verses About Sleeping in Peace
Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! - Hebrews 13:2
Have you seen an angel with your eyes and not known it? This Bible verse about angels shows us the supernatural ability of angels to look like humans sometimes. How wild! Sometimes angels are so bright and intimidating that they have to remind us not to fear, and other times, we could pass by them and not even know they were an angel! God is so creative and so awesome with how He uses angels.
What Does the Bible Say About Angels' Appearance?
Now that we’ve learned about the different types of angels and Bible verses about angels, next we’ll answer the question about what angels really look like.
Ezekiel 1 and Revelation 4 explain what angels really look like in detail. Sometimes, angels appear in their heavenly form – some with multiple wheels, some with multiple heads, and almost all of them have multiple eyes! But what’s wild is that sometimes, angels appear as humans and humans barely notice.
There’s a story in Genesis 18 where Abraham meets three men, one of them who most theologians think is Jesus, and two other beings who are angels. Abraham doesn’t just talk to the angels and God; they even eat together. So, not only can angels look human in their appearance, but they can even eat the same food that humans eat!
While it's awesome to know what angels look like in the Bible, we don’t know why they decide to show up in certain forms. That’s up to God and the angles! Regardless of whether they look like humans or supernatural beings, they are magnificent, heavenly, they worship God, and they are meant to carry out His will on the earth.
Conclusion
As we’ve learned, angels are far more than a comforting reminder of protection or a symbol that God is near; they are powerful, majestic, and even intimidating creations of Almighty God. The Bible shows us that real angels are both servants and warriors on behalf of God, and they also worship Him around His throne. It’s honestly a bit wild to comprehend.
And what’s even crazier? As Christians, we may interact with angels in our lifetime and not even know it! Sometimes, angels show up in human form, with no glow, no halo, and no warning. Who knows? Maybe we’ve all seen an angel with our natural eyes!
Remember: God is the greatest! While angels are awesome and cool, as Christians, we should never seek to worship angels or try to encounter them. It’s up to God whether we are to see them, but take comfort that angels are always around and always ready to protect you.
